Catholic Schools Week - 2009

[tmesis2008]

Archbishop Martin says Catholic school identity at risk - The Irish Times - Tue, Jan 27, 2009

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS must not water down their identity to conform with a more pluralist society, the Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin said yesterday.

Bishop Leo O’Reilly, chair of the Bishops Commission for Education, said it was important that Catholic schools became more conscious of their identity as the schools system became more pluralist.

Celebrating Catholic schools at an All-Ireland level - The Irish Times - Tue, Jan 27, 2009

Our aim this week is to encourage all associated with Catholic schools to reflect on what it means to be a Catholic school and to mark the important contribution that Catholic education offers to our nation;

What makes a school Catholic? and what does it mean to be a Catholic school? All partners in Catholic schools are invited to reflect on those questions and find responses that give meaning to their various roles.

Firstly, may I state, I don't support Catholic (or any religious) involvement in education for a myriad of solid educational reasons. However, I would prefer if opposition to Catholicism in schools was placed to one side for this discussion.

I am interested in what actually makes a school Catholic: how does Catholicism manifest itself in our schools? According to Dr. Martin that manifestation is at risk, but he doesn't go on to really explain what he means by this. How and why is it at risk, do you think?

I'd like to hear from anyone on this, but especially people who are involved in education.

[myk]

I am interested in what actually makes a school Catholic: how does Catholicism manifest itself in our schools? According to Dr. Martin that manifestation is at risk, but he doesn't go on to really explain what he means by this. How and why is it at risk, do you think?

I'd like to hear from anyone on this, but especially people who are involved in education.

i probably won't answer this in the depth that you like...

but I imagine when he refers to Catholic schools he is referring to all schools owned or operated under the patronage of Catholic parish, dioceses or Catholic religious orders.

as to how Catholicism manifests itself in schools I imagine this is a combination of direct teaching of Catholicism and trying to pass on Catholic values to students outside of direct teaching of Catholicism.

you could also say that Catholicism should manifest itself in the way the school is operated, how it treats those that it cares for and for those that it affects. though i'm not sure if this is what the Archbishop was referring to.

[tmesis2008]

Myk,

Thanks for that, but you are right that it isn't as detailed as I would like.

I understand that, obviously, Catholicism is directly taught in Catholic schools, in a religion class. There is usually prayer at the beginning of the day (although I'm not sure about this) and mass attendance for various events. Then, of course, Catholic symbolism - pictures and statues - are placed about the school.

However, outside of that, from anecdotal information, Catholic schools tend to be actually run day-to-day by lay people who may or may not be religious (and if they are maybe not very religious) and who take a pragmatic, secular approach to running the school, such that outside of the manifestation of Catholicism above there isn't really much mention of religion or much that is related to it.

This was my experience of my primary and secondary school education in religious institutions, but that was over 15 years ago, so I'm wondering if it is an accurate reflection?

[myk]

I understand that, obviously, Catholicism is directly taught in Catholic schools, in a religion class. There is usually prayer at the beginning of the day (although I'm not sure about this) and mass attendance for various events. Then, of course, Catholic symbolism - pictures and statues - are placed about the school.

However, outside of that, from anecdotal information, Catholic schools tend to be actually run day-to-day by lay people who may or may not be religious (and if they are maybe not very religious) and who take a pragmatic, secular approach to running the school, such that outside of the manifestation of Catholicism above there isn't really much mention of religion or much that is related to it.

This was my experience of my primary and secondary school education in religious institutions, but that was over 15 years ago, so I'm wondering if it is an accurate reflection?

I imagine it varies from school to school. some are stronger on Catholic ethos outside of religion class than others. i gather that certain schools such as the Jesuit schools and the Loretto schools are stronger on this than most, and on top of the activities you mention above run a large number of charity events and exchanges in connection with the schools' catholic ethos.

i think what you refer to as many Catholic schools being run by lay people, many of whom with little interest in religion is what the Archbishop is referring to when he talks about Catholic schools losing their Catholic ethos.

[kellsangel]

I discussed this issue with a National School Teacher at the Weekend

She was a girl in her late twenties. Her view was that it is not possible to teach "proper morals" to children without a catholic ethos in the school.

[myk]

I discussed this issue with a National School Teacher at the Weekend

She was a girl in her late twenties. Her view was that it is not possible to teach "proper morals" to children without a catholic ethos in the school.

well I wouldn't agree with that...

[tmesis2008]

I discussed this issue with a National School Teacher at the Weekend

She was a girl in her late twenties. Her view was that it is not possible to teach "proper morals" to children without a catholic ethos in the school.

Okay, well that's obviously quite a silly view, especially for someone in her position.

Millions of people in this world somehow acquire morals without even knowing about Catholicism.

Anyway, it says nothing as to how, outside of the religion class, these "Catholic morals" are transmitted. What are "proper morals"? The bishops themselves seem to be at a bit of a loss to put a finger on what makes an "ethos".

For instance, would bullying be handled in a secular school and in a religious school differently?

[kellsangel]

But she must be right, as she formed this view, after recieving an extensive Catholic Education, all provided at Primary, Secondary and Colledge of Education, at the expense of the State.

[tmesis2008]

kellsangel,

There are plenty of educated people with strange opinions. Do you agree with this woman, because there's not much point in discussing the topic in her absence?

[kellsangel]

kellsangel,

There are plenty of educated people with strange opinions. Do you agree with this woman, because there's not much point in discussing the topic in her absence?

No I don't agree with her

My apologies for the sarcasm